This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of one universal government for the whole world from the real IELTS exam

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IELTS Essay: One Universal Government

The world should have only one government rather than a national government for each country.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

There have been suggestions historically for a single government that could control all nations. In my opinion, there are utopian benefits that would result from this, however, the drawbacks related to autonomy make it a negative theoretical proposal.

Supporters argue a single government would be more effective and focused. This is best illustrated through major problems that all nations currently struggle to solve such as climate change and the recent health crisis facing the world. A single centralized government could better protect the environment by enacting strict legislation against the burning of fossil fuels and force all citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19. In purely hypothetical terms, such unilateral power could achieve tremendous ends. However, in reality, there is a strong likelihood that a government would either pursue different, less desirable goals or be unable to enforce their mandates.

Beyond the infeasibility of such a world government, there are more basic reasons to oppose its existence. Variety in government is valuable in itself. Take for example the different governments currently in power around the world. Each country has, to varying degrees, chosen a government that represents their values and enacts laws based on the kind of nation they wish to have. The result is that some countries, such as those in Western Europe, lean more towards a socialist system that ensures a minimum standard of living for all citizens, others place greater emphasis on individual empowerment, others on transparency and still others on security over freedom. This diversity is a defining feature of human society.

In conclusion, a single government for the entire planet could help resolve global issues but would ultimately limit the distinctiveness of each individual nation. Therefore, there are other solutions that should be undertaken to remedy the current crisis of confidence in government.

Analysis

1. There have been suggestions historically for a single government that could control all nations. 2. In my opinion, there are utopian benefits that would result from this, however, the drawbacks related to autonomy make it a negative theoretical proposal.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Supporters argue a single government would be more effective and focused. 2. This is best illustrated through major problems that all nations currently struggle to solve such as climate change and the recent health crisis facing the world. 3. A single centralized government could better protect the environment by enacting strict legislation against the burning of fossil fuels and force all citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19. 4. In purely hypothetical terms, such unilateral power could achieve tremendous ends. 5. However, in reality, there is a strong likelihood that a government would either pursue different, less desirable goals or be unable to enforce their mandates.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  4. Keep developing it fully.
  5. This paragraph should be about the same length as the next one.

1. Beyond the infeasibility of such a world government, there are more basic reasons to oppose its existence. 2. Variety in government is valuable in itself. 3. Take for example the different governments currently in power around the world. 4. Each country has, to varying degrees, chosen a government that represents their values and enacts laws based on the kind of nation they wish to have. 5. The result is that some countries, such as those in Western Europe, lean more towards a socialist system that ensures a minimum standard of living for all citizens, others place greater emphasis on individual empowerment, others on transparency and still others on security over freedom. 6. This diversity is a defining feature of human society.

  1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your new main idea.
  3. Include specific details and examples.
  4. Continue developing it…
  5. as fully as possible!
  6. Vary short and long sentences.

1. In conclusion, a single government for the entire planet could help resolve global issues but would ultimately limit the distinctiveness of each individual nation. 2. Therefore, there are other solutions that should be undertaken to remedy the current crisis of confidence in government.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

There have been suggestions historically for a single government that could control all nations. In my opinion, there are utopian benefits that would result from this, however, the drawbacks related to autonomy make it a negative theoretical proposal.

Supporters argue a single government would be more effective and focused. This is best illustrated through major problems that all nations currently struggle to solve such as climate change and the recent health crisis facing the world. A single centralized government could better protect the environment by enacting strict legislation against the burning of fossil fuels and force all citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19. In purely hypothetical terms, such unilateral power could achieve tremendous ends. However, in reality, there is a strong likelihood that a government would either pursue different, less desirable goals or be unable to enforce their mandates.

Beyond the infeasibility of such a world government, there are more basic reasons to oppose its existence. Variety in government is valuable in itself. Take for example the different governments currently in power around the world. Each country has, to varying degrees, chosen a government that represents their values and enacts laws based on the kind of nation they wish to have. The result is that some countries, such as those in Western Europe, lean more towards a socialist system that ensures a minimum standard of living for all citizens, others place greater emphasis on individual empowerment, others on transparency and still others on security over freedom. This diversity is a defining feature of human society.

In conclusion, a single government for the entire planet could help resolve global issues but would ultimately limit the distinctiveness of each individual nation. Therefore, there are other solutions that should be undertaken to remedy the current crisis of confidence in government.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

suggestions historically ideas in the past

single government one national government in control

control power over

nations countries

utopian benefits idealistic advantages

drawbacks disadvantages

autonomy freedom to do as you want

negative theoretical proposal not a good idea

supporters argue people who believe in this say

effective will work

focused clearly directed

best illustrated better shown

major problems big issues

currently struggle now have trouble

climate change global warming

recent health crisis facing the world current global public health problem

centralized all power in one central area

protect keep safe

enacting creating

burning using

fossil fuels oil, coal, etc.

vaccinated against Covid-19 a shot to protect from Coronavirus

in purely hypothetical terms solely imagined as a theory

unilateral all power from one source

achieve tremendous ends get good things done

in reality in the real world

strong likelihood good chance

pursue look for

less desirable goals bad aims

enforce ensure

mandates laws, orders

beyond past

infeasibility impossible

basic reasons main justifications

oppose are against

existence is in the real world

variety different kinds of

valuable in itself important on its own

currently now

to varying degrees to different extents

chosen decided on

represents symbolizes

values what is considered important

based on coming from

Western Europe France, Spain, the UK, etc.

lean more towards favor

socialist system government that spreads wealth more evenly

ensures makes sure of

minimum standard of living for all citizens decent level of life for all

place greater emphasis care more about

individual empowerment helps people have more freedom

transparency honesty

still others different ones

security being safe

freedom autonomy

diversity difference

defining feature most notable characteristic

entire whole

ultimately limit in the end contain

distinctiveness singularity, uniqueness

undertaken done

remedy fix

current crisis problem now

confidence faith in

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

səˈʤɛsʧənz hɪsˈtɒrɪkəli 
ˈsɪŋgl ˈgʌvnmənt 
kənˈtrəʊl 
ˈneɪʃənz
juːˈtəʊpjən ˈbɛnɪfɪts 
ˈdrɔːbæks 
ɔːˈtɒnəmi 
ˈnɛgətɪv θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl prəˈpəʊzəl
səˈpɔːtəz ˈɑːgjuː 
ɪˈfɛktɪv 
ˈfəʊkəst
bɛst ˈɪləstreɪtɪd 
ˈmeɪʤə ˈprɒbləmz 
ˈkʌrəntli ˈstrʌgl 
ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ 
ˈriːsnt hɛlθ ˈkraɪsɪs ˈfeɪsɪŋ ðə wɜːld
ˈsɛntrəlaɪzd 
prəˈtɛkt 
ɪˈnæktɪŋ 
ˈbɜːnɪŋ 
ˈfɒsl fjʊəlz 
ˈvæksɪneɪtɪd əˈgɛnst ˈkəʊvɪd-19
ɪn ˈpjʊəli ˌhaɪpəʊˈθɛtɪkəl tɜːmz 
ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl 
əˈʧiːv trɪˈmɛndəs ɛndz
ɪn ri(ː)ˈælɪti 
strɒŋ ˈlaɪklɪhʊd 
pəˈsjuː 
lɛs dɪˈzaɪərəbl gəʊlz 
ɪnˈfɔːs 
ˈmændeɪts
bɪˈjɒnd 
ˌfiːzəˈbɪlɪti 
ˈbeɪsɪk ˈriːznz 
əˈpəʊz 
ɪgˈzɪstəns
vəˈraɪəti 
ˈvæljʊəbl ɪn ɪtˈsɛlf
ˈkʌrəntli 
tuː ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz
ˈʧəʊzn 
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts 
ˈvæljuːz 
ɪˈnækts 
beɪst ɒn 
ˈwɛstən ˈjʊərəp
liːn mɔː təˈwɔːdz 
ˈsəʊʃəlɪst ˈsɪstɪm 
ɪnˈʃʊəz 
ˈmɪnɪməm ˈstændəd ɒv ˈlɪvɪŋ fɔːr ɔːl ˈsɪtɪznz
pleɪs ˈgreɪtər ˈɛmfəsɪs 
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ɪmˈpaʊəmənt
trænsˈpeərənsi 
stɪl ˈʌðəz 
sɪˈkjʊərɪti 
ˈfriːdəm
daɪˈvɜːsɪti 
dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈfiːʧə 
ɪnˈtaɪə 
ˈʌltɪmɪtli ˈlɪmɪt 
dɪsˈtɪŋktɪvnəs 
ˌʌndəˈteɪkən 
ˈrɛmɪdi 
ˈkʌrənt ˈkraɪsɪs 
ˈkɒnfɪdəns 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

There have been s__________________________y for a s______________________t that could c__________l all n_______s. In my opinion, there are u__________________s that would result from this, however, the d____________s related to a_____________y make it a n_______________________________l.

S_____________e a single government would be more e__________e and f____________d. This is b_______________d through m__________________s that all nations c_____________________e to solve such as c__________________e and the r____________________________________d. A single c_______________d government could better p__________t the environment by e_______g strict legislation against the b________g of f___________s and force all citizens to get v___________________________9. I__________________________s, such u_______________l power could a__________________________s. However, i__________________y, there is a s_______________d that a government would either p__________e different, l_________________s or be unable to e__________e their m___________s.

B_______d the i_____________y of such a world government, there are more b______________s to o______e its e__________e. V__________y in government is v_________________f. Take for example the different governments c_______y in power around the world. Each country has, t____________________s, c________n a government that r______________s their v________s and e______s laws b___________n the kind of nation they wish to have. The result is that some countries, such as those in W_____________e, l_________________s a s_________________m that e________s a m________________________________________s, others p_______________________s on i________________________t, others on t____________y and s_________s on s__________y over f_________m. This d_____________y is a d_______________e of human society.

In conclusion, a single government for the e______e planet could help resolve global issues but would u________________t the d_______________s of each individual nation. Therefore, there are other solutions that should be u______________n to r_________y the c______________s of c____________e in government.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/06/globalization-bretton-woods-keynes-history/619232/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Environment

  1. Why do people throw rubbish the streets?
  2. How can people be encouraged to not litter?
  3. What are the results of littering?
  4. What steps has your government taken to make people pick up after themselves?
  5. Do the efforts of a single person have an impact on the world as a whole?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

It is impossible to help all people around the world in need so governments should focus on people from their own country.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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